YFC Rurka Kalan: Redefining football-much more than a sport

YFC Rurka Kalan

Rurka Kalan, a village located in the Tehsil Phillaur, Jalandhar in Punjab would traditionally give a picture of dust all around deprived people struggling to get on with their lives. But once you try to make efforts to look beneath the dust, there is a diamond beneath- YFC Rurka Kalan.

Aimed at providing quality education to under privileged children with modern learning aids and scientific methods, embellished with an opportunity for talented children in football and other sports, access to scientific coaching, diet, equipment and all other amenities, thereby enabling them to have careers as a professional sportsperson, Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan carries the tag of a ‘noble cause’.

The area was marred with a host of drug abuse cases and seeing the people of the village swindle away their life so easily was rather painful. Out came the initiative, a club in the area, aimed at making the lives of the people better, more sound and meaningful. As a man on a mission, the electronics engineer Dr. Gurmangal Dass stood up and initiated the endeavour.

Study conducted by the Punjab’s Department of Social Security had it that at least one amongst the household was a drug addict in as many as 67% homes and with most of them lying between the age of 16-35, the future of the country was at stake. And despite seeing his peers leave for hefty pay packages and lucrative jobs, Dr. Dass held fort and took it upon us to bring about a change through the beautiful game of football. A holistic development of the youth and the sufferers took centre stage.

The philosophy at YFC was to make these kids interact with fellow boys through the medium of football and help them achieve stability.

Soon YFC started featuring in a host of competitions, winning quite a few, garnering funds in the process for further investment into the project, Even the villagers were supportive enough and gave all they could to muster the noble initiative.

Despite a fund crunch, Dass was immensely helped by the drug-struck families and their willingness to go the extra mile gave that much needed impetus to the campaign and soon it saw a giant leap in popularity. This resulted in more people getting involved and itching to get onto the field of play.

With a massive turnout at his disposal, Dass had to lift his project up and a village without a play-field, the Engineer-Doctor had to seek villagers’ help to set a field, which soon became host to quite a few talented footballers.

It was only in 2006 that the YFC hostel was formed and a proper residential academy came into being. The cadets are not only given free food, training, but are also admitted in Government schools so that studies don’t take a backseat. The academy also boasts of a good quality gymnasium, running by the support of sponsors and helps the players to remain fit and in shape. The academy hosts 1200 players of different Age Groups, 40 of which are residential cadets and enjoy all the above mentioned amenities for free.

For an academy running on patronage of donors and sponsors, to boast of a ground with a capacity of 5000 audience is massive. But Gurmangal Dass gives credit to each and every villager for their massive support to have helped him realise his dream. The course also offers scholarships to the disadvantaged section of the society.

Apart from the training of beautiful game, the students also enjoy free kits and frequent medical check-ups free of cost. And today he wears a satisfied smile on his face with the number going as high as 1000.

Though the team is actively involved in school competitions and have constantly won laurels, which are on display in a building near the club’s office, their highlight was the Street Child World Cup Soccer Tournament in Durban South Africa. YFC piped teams from Philippines, South Africa, Brazil, Tanzania, Nicaragua, UK and Ukraine.

The same team also won the runners-up trophy in the Manchester United Premier Club in 2011 in Gurgaon.

Though AIFF is far from realising Lakshya 2022, the guys at YFC are very particular with their objective of development through sports. As a result, they not only provide education to children but also coaches. As mentioned by Rob Baan that you need quality coaches and latest techniques to help develop quality talent.

Hence, YFC arranges for sessions from coaches from Canada and England. Coach exchange program is also a common phenomenon at YFC with two coaches having visited Coventry FC recently back in April 2012.

Since its inception in 2001, YFC has touched lives of more than 1200 rural underprivileged children.

Though this might already sound fantastic, but what adds more flavour is the capacity of YFC Rurka Kalan to supply national cadets on frequent basis, the most famous being one of India’s most famous defenders Anwar Ali. Having captained Baichung Bhutia owned United Sikkim last season, Anwar is currently plying trade at Mumbai FC, alongside SAFF Championship winning captain Haroon Amiri, Indian veteran Climax Lawrence and experienced foreigners like Yusif Yakubu.

Anwar Ali has always been vocal of YFC’s contribution to his career and never skips a chance to thank the people working out there.

Being the supply chain, YFC has produced 15 Indian National team players in the past years. And while all these Tata Football Academies and SESA Goa earn all accolades, YFC has done much more than just a mention.

Apart from touching lives through football, YFC also organises educational training through Computer workshops, Vocational Training and Youth Development Projects.

YFC also gets involved in other sports with the recent one being the facilitation of Kabaddi legend Tirath Gakhal.

In a giant step towards popularity and broad-basing, YFC is coming up with a youth league in three age group categories U-12, U-14 and U-17. The league will see 82 teams locking horns over 14 weekends with opening day celebration hosting Punjabi stars like Kanth Kaler, K S Makhan, and Preet Harpal, while final day will see kabaddi matches being played at the venue.

Putting everything in a nutshell- While their efforts, accomplishments and the noble cause they are striving to achieve has been hidden in the flair of other projects, YFC deserves a mention and is deserved of every inch of respect by everyone around.

People at YFC are working day in and out, working their socks off to see things moving, make a social change through the game and education and help the deprived youth make their life meaningful rather than taking route to drugs.

Respect YFC…. Long Live YFC!